1 It all begins with an idea. An idea forms in the mind of a writer. It swirls around and begins to grow. A story takes shape. Characters are created. The plot is formed. Finally, details are added to help bring the story to life. A story can touch hearts. A story can teach. A story can bring people together. A story can change lives. First, though, there must be an idea.2 There are many ways that a good idea can form. Some ideas are born after a lot of thought. Others come when the mind is blank. Some ideas are formed during sleep. Others are inspired by everyday events.3 That is just what happened to George Selden. His best idea came to him as he was going home one night. He had taken the subway. As he was walking through the station, he heard a noise. It was a cricket. He heard a cricket in the subway station beneath Times Square! The noise stuck in his mind. Within minutes, a story began to form.